Gabriel Cocker walks up with his wife, and Lexi informs me that she works for Paige at the yoga studios the couple bought together after they got married. I don’t get starstruck easily, but seeing a rockstar in person when I’ve been listening to his music for years, is a wild feeling.
But Gabriel’s among family, and his hand is always on his wife, his feet on the ground, smile easy. His twin I’d heard about, but had never seen until today. I quickly learn that Elijah is working his way through Washington. He and Justin, his father, are the only ones in suits.
“So, you’re going to marry me!?”
Max and I look over to a gorgeous Latin woman with grey eyes.
“Soph, you’re here!” He lets go of my hand, picks her up and spins her around as she laughs. “Meet my girlfriend, Natalie.”
“Hi, I’m Sofia, nice to meet you!” She shakes my hand roughly and scans my dress, flicking a glance to him. “You match? Can I puke now?”
He takes the steaming cider from Caden. “Says the girl I never thought would be engaged. Where’s your fiancé?”
She points to an extremely sexy golden-skinned man with black hair to his waist. “He’s over there with Sean and Celia. They just got engaged, too, on Thanksgiving!” He nods to her, and resumes talking with a blue-eyed cutie in a man-bun who’s next to another pretty Latina. Shrugging with a lopsided smile Sofia says, “Guess it’s contagious. But you know me and Ceels. She’s been my best friend since I was born so she had to hurry and find her man, too, right? What if we got knocked up too many years apart for our kids to be friends?”
He and Caden exchange a look before Max says, “Who the fuck is this? She looks like Sofia but she’s talking about babies.”
“I don’t know man. But if there’s a Kool Aid going around I don’t want to drink it!”
Hannah calls to Soph, “Sofia, could you run in the house and grab Clara’s teddy bear?”
“The purple one?”
“Yes, please! Thank you!’
She takes off, leaping onto the porch without the steps.
Max looks at me. “I’ll tell you more about her later.”
Justin approaches with his raven-haired wife on his arm. She’s an elegant woman, striking features. As a Senator’s wife I’m sure she met with dignitaries from all over the world, and it shows.
The twin gene only passed down through these two with the birth of Gabriel and Elijah, and both brothers inherited her dark hair and their father’s pale green eyes.
Which are locked on me right now. “I meant to check up on you, see how things are going now.”
“They’re good. You heard about Paul?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know if Max told you, but Boone was made Operating Manager of the clubs.”
Justin hums, thinking about it. “Interesting. He’s the most trusted, must be why. But who’s handling the books?”
“Not me,” I exhale. “Thank you, Mr. Cocker. I will always be grateful for what you did for me.”
His sharp eyes soften a little and he glances to his nephew. “Anything for my brother’s children.”
Caden reassures him, “I’ll make sure to keep my nose clean so you don’t have to.”
Justin slides his arm around his wife to lead her away, smirking, “Do you forget I know you, Caden?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” As they keep walking he lowers his voice to Max, “I’m a prince!”
“Prince of pain.”
“Har har.”
“Prince of penicillin.”
“Stop.”
“Prince of toe tags.”
“I’m walking away now.”
Max calls after him, “Prince of poorly executed procedures!”
Caden cocks an eyebrow over his shoulder before he disappears into the crowd.
“Oh Max, I heard you met someone special!”
“Hi Grandma,” he smiles, giving her a hug. “This is Natalie. We’re living in sin.”
My jaw drops but she’s not even the tiniest bit shocked as she turns to greet me. “Oh stop embarrassing her. I’m Nancy Cocker, Max’s grandmother. This is my husband, Michael.”
By appearances they’re everything you’d expect from old money, except the lack of elitism that travels on gossiping and very mistaken tongues around town.
The ex-congressman’s eyes are filled with kindness as he shakes my hand. “Are we a little overwhelming, Natalie?”
“It’s a much larger family than mine. I’m sorry we were late. Max and I went to my parents’ house first.”
Nancy throws up her hands, “You could have brought them.” She points behind her, “That’s Drew’s Mom over here. Rachel’s friend Sylvia is right there with her husband and kids. That’s Paige’s brother and their parents. Jaimie’s father, Mr. Rothdale is over there with his new wife. Can you believe he married another one? And where is Meagan’s family? Oh they’re here somewhere. On Christmas we have everyone over!” She looks at Max like he’s to blame.
“Since you’d never met Natalie before I didn’t want to—”
“—Nonsense! Why don’t you invite them over? Do they live far away, Natalie?”
“No, but they were about to eat. We left after spending the morning there.”
“Have them come for cider and desserts! Meagan is a wonderful cook and she made us the most amazing things. Crème Brûlée. Apple tarts with nutmeg. And so many pies I think we’ll have pie for months!”
Michael argues, “Not with all these mouths.”
Nancy glances around, calculating. She touches his arm and they lock eyes, the love apparent. “You’re right. Maybe I was being hopeful.” Her smile travels to me. “Invite them. See if they can make it.”
“I will, thank you.”
Glancing to the food table, Nancy rolls her eyes and shouts through cupped hands, “Gabriel, get out of that chili! It’s not time yet!”
Jett Cocker bellows, “Don’t make me hurt you, pretty boy!”
Nancy grumbles to Michael, “Between Gabriel and Jason I have to watch that table like a hawk! Come help me.” She takes his hand to leave as Wren and Eric return to us.
“Did she meet Grams yet, Max?” he asks.
“Sit with me at dinner, Natalie,” Wren offers. “I’ll ground you in the chaos. I’m not even used to this myself.”
Max answers Eric, “We saved the best for last, excuse me. We’ll see you guys at the table.”
I call back as he guides me away, “Thank you, Wren!”
Through the crowd I see a tiny old woman smiling at everyone from atop two stacked cushions. She’s talking to those who are nearby, and generally having a good time. Blue eyes take us in as we approach, and she lights up, recognizing her great-grandson.
“Max!”
Fragile hands fly up as he swoops down to kiss her cheek. She makes a kiss-face into the air and beams at him. “Aren’t you dashing in green! Those eyes, so like my Jerald!”
“Grams, this is Natalie.” My heart freezes as I wait for him to say we’re living in sin again. But instead he melts it with, “I wanted to introduce you to the woman I love.” He glances to me, “Natalie, this is May Cocker, the reason we’re all here.”
“Hi May.” I shake her fragile hand. Over a hundred years old, her blue eyes are sharp as they scan me with a silent inspection. She cocks an eyebrow. “Sexy!”
I burst out laughing.
“Pretty, isn’t she, Max?”
“She’s stunning, Grams. I don’t think ‘pretty’ covers it.”
Blue eyes twinkle as she stares at me. “I wish I was young when you could dye your hair like that!” She claps her hands and smiles.
“You could do it now, if you wanted to,” I offer.
“Oh, don’t tempt me!”
Nancy calls everyone’s attention with, “Since Gabriel won’t keep his hands off the food, it’s dinner time! Help yourselves!”
Elijah shouts, “My brother’s a fucking thief!”
Grams and about a dozen other people all shout, “Language!” And everyone cracks up laughing.
I glance to the house to see Sofia’s fiancé returning to the party, presumably from the bathroom. He pauses at the laughter, confused. Sofia’s standing nearby and I hear her laugh to Celia, “Don’t tell him what just happened. Let me surprise him at the wedding.”
Buffet-style, the line is long so I use this time to call my parents. Hanging up I tell Max, “Mom was excited about it. I think she missed me after we left.”
He murmurs against my smile, “I know that feeling.”
Finally we sit down by Wren and Eric and she tells me how much I’m going to love the chili. “And in the warmer months, Nancy makes this fresh ginger-ale that’s out of this world.”
As soon as the last people have taken a seat, Michael stands and taps his wine glass with a fork. “Family, Friends, Jett.”
Laughter ripples through the crowd and Jett shakes a fist at his dad.
Michael chuckles and continues, “I want to take a moment to thank you all for making this Christmas special for me, my wife and my mom. To see all of your faces brings great joy to us. We’re grateful to have you in our lives. Even you, Jett,” he smirks.
“I love you, too, Dad!”
Hunter calls out, “God bless us, every one!”
Max whispers to me, “That’s Grandpa’s favorite story.”
Michael raises his glass. “Charles Dickens, wherever you are, we salute you, too. Now let’s enjoy a great meal, great company, and this snow while it lasts.” He looks around the smiling faces. “Merry Christmas, everyone.”
CHAPTER 40
Two Januarys Later
“M ax! Hey Max!”
I turn around to search for who could be calling my name. The voice sounds familiar. Natalie points me in the other direction and I mutter, “Oh shit, it’s Ivan, that guy I told you about.”
The film school pal I called a Little-Brain is at this very moment maneuvering through a packed party of the Hollywood elite, toward us.
“Hey buddy, I saw your name in the schedule. Couldn’t believe it,” he smirks. “Thought you didn’t care about festivals, huh? Yet here you are, all the way in Park City, Utah!”
“Hello Ivan.”
“This your lead actress?”
“No, I’m his girlfriend and his producer,” Natalie purrs for the fun of it.
He scans her red sequined mini-dress and black heels, then lifts fuzzy eyebrows to me. “Jeezus, Max, you hit it big time huh?” To her he asks, “What, did you hook up with this guy after you found out his little picture got into the biggest fest there is?”
The old me would’ve punched him. I’m so happy with my life that impulse doesn’t even twitch. Instead I ask Natalie, “You want to enlighten him or should I?”
She gets on her toes and licks my cheek, super sexy look on her face before she turns to Ivan and says, “I met him when he had nothing. Fucked his brains out that day. Became his producer. Oh, did I mention I had no money either? So we shot his film. Actually he started filming while I was being threatened by the mafia.” She waves her hand as if that’s not a big deal. “But as soon as that silly stuff was over, I joined the shoot. We moved in together. Filming wrapped last January. And when I saw the footage I submitted his movie to Sundance without his knowledge and here we are!” Glancing to me she tilts her head. “That about right?”
“Hmmmm, yep.”
Ivan is confused. But suddenly his eyes light up and he wags a finger at us. “Ahhh, you’re messing with me. I’m just sorry you didn’t win, buddy. I was at the awards ceremony today. Was really rooting for you. Bummer.”
My lips tighten.
Natalie leans toward him, feigning innocence. “Did your film win, Ivan?”
He quickly explains, “I didn’t have one to submit this year. Next year, next year.” Scanning the party he smiles, “I’m hoping to meet some investors. This is where you meet the big people, big money.”
Natalie and I exchange a look.
“Max Cocker?” a female voice comes up behind us.
I turn around and see a svelte woman in an all-white suit.
“Yes?”
“I’m Virginia Peters, I represent Amazon.” She extends her hand and I shake it. “I saw your film. A couple times, actually. Cried my eyes out both times,” she smiles.
“Really? Thank you! I was wondering with all the showings if anyone came back.”
“Well, I did. Would’ve a third time if my screening schedule wasn’t spread so thin,” she laughs, glancing to Natalie and Ivan. “Did you work with Max on his feature?”
“Natalie’s my producer. Wouldn’t have been what it is without her help.”
Ivan shakes his head.
Virginia turns to Natalie. “I really loved the film,” she smiles.
“Thank you! You saw it twice? What brought you back?”
“Well, to be honest, I have a family member who likes to drink, mmm, a little too much let’s say. I related to the story. I think most people could relate on some level, because most of us know someone who can’t stop the thing that’s hurting them. And we’d love to help them! Max, I loved the raw emotion. You didn’t give us a lot of fluff, and you gave all ‘the feels.’ I’d love to offer you a deal. We know that filmmakers really want to be in theaters so you go ahead and find a distributor for that, but what we want is for you to come back to us after. Release your film online exclusively with us for ninety days. Then if we don’t find your audience you don’t have to renew. And we’ll give you an advance, of course, in order to keep your loyalty with us.”
Without hesitation I tell her, “I don’t need to be in theaters first.”
Ivan hisses, “Max!”
But I ignore him like I did his advice before. “I’ll sign up to be exclusive with you. See how it goes.” Turning to Natalie, I ask, “Sound good?”
“I support whatever you want, Max. This is your baby now.”
Can’t help but kiss her for that.
Virginia reacts, “Oh!”
I laugh, “Did I mention my producer and I are living together?”
Laughing she says, “No, but great! I’ll give you my card, which I already had in my hand as I walked up because I never take no for an answer!”
She hands it to Natalie, “Make him call me.”
We watch the powerhouse stroll away.
Ivan mutters, “Max, you really blew that.”
“Ivan, there are many ways to do a thing. You just gotta follow your heart and be your own man.” Touching the small of Natalie’s back I lead her away. “I hope you get a film into Sundance next year buddy. Don’t let perfectionism get in your way.”
He stares after us.
Alone.
And afraid to take risks.
CHAPTER 41
M AX
“F inal boarding at Gate C6 for Flight 387 to Atlanta. ”
Natalie jumps off the stool at The Coffee Bean. “That’s us!Let’s go!”
Grabbing the handle of the single carry-on we share since we checked our larger bags, I sip while walking.
“Hurry, Max!”
“We’re fine.”
Natalie sighs and rushes on without me as I smile at her freaking out.
“We’re here!” she calls to the ticket agents and waves me to hurry up.
They scan our phones and we head into the tunnel.
“That was a good idea to take a screen shot of our boarding passes,” I absently tell her as the wheels click behind me.
“What happens if there’s no signal and you can’t open your email?” she mutters, distracted. “Take a picture and you never have to worry.”
“This is why I need you to produce all my films.”
She glances to me, smiles, but keeps rushing. “And I will.”
The flight attendant waiting by the plane’s door greets us, “Good evening. Do you need help finding your seats?”
“I think we’re good,” Natal
ie frowns with concentration. “But thank you.”
I smile at the attendant and follow my girlfriend down a narrow aisle to Coach Class.
She booked our tickets and got us seats near the Emergency exit because they’re more spacious and we have long legs.
I slide the suitcase into the compartment above our heads and take my seat next to her as Natalie removes gum, crackers, her tablet, and her lip balm, and stores them in the pouch behind the seat in front of her.
My girl comes prepared.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to taxi down the runway. Please store all loose items below the seat in front of you or in the bins above. Please keep your seats in the upright position, and your tray tables locked. Please refer to the pamphlet for this presentation.”
I look over to find my girlfriend staring out the window.
“They said look at the pamphlet.”
“I’ve read it before.”
“You said that on the way here. But Natalie, picture yourself standing up there showing us how to use a seatbelt when everyone knows how. Imagine how much that must suck that nobody is watching, yet you have to go through this process anyway.”
She frowns and inhales a deep breath, pulling the pamphlet out as three attendants take their positions in the far, middle and back of the plane.
Over the speakers comes the voice again, “In the case of an emergency landing, please look to Max Cocker for assistance.”
Natalie frowns, “Did they just say your name?”
One of the attendants is motioning for me to join her, and I’ve gotta go, right? I throw a confused look to Natalie. “I’ll be right back.”
“Max?”
“It’s okay. I’m sure it’s a prank.”
Standing up I meet the eyes of a dozen or more confused strangers. “Sorry, don’t know why they want me up here. Everything’s okay.”
I walk to the nearest attendant and mutter, “Hey, uh, I’m Max.”
She hands me her prop-mask and I turn around, not knowing what to do. Over the speaker the voice says, “And in a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will drop and Max will give you the ring hidden inside it.”
Max Cocker (Cocker Brothers Book 15) Page 17
